Parthenolide

Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone found in feverfew.  It is not water soluble.

Plants Containing Parthenolide

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

HEADACHE RELIEF

• Parthenolide constituents from feverfew showed in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.  From:  Kwok, B. H., Koh, B., Ndubuisi, M. I., Elofsson, M., & Crews, C. M. (2001). The anti-inflammatory natural product parthenolide from the medicinal herb Feverfew directly binds to and inhibits IκB kinase. Chemistry & biology, 8(8), 759-766.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• In animal studies, parthenolide was the constituent in feverfew that may reduce migraine headaches.  From:  Tassorelli, C., Greco, R., Morazzoni, P., Riva, A., Sandrini, G., & Nappi, G. (2005). Parthenolide is the component of tanacetum parthenium that inhibits nitroglycerin-induced Fos activation: studies in an animal model of migraine. Cephalalgia, 25(8), 612-621.

ANTI-PARASITE 

• Parthenolide inhibited the parasite Leishmania amazonensis in vitro. From:  Tiuman, T. S., Ueda-Nakamura, T., Cortez, D. A. G., Dias Filho, B. P., Morgado-Díaz, J. A., de Souza, W., & Nakamura, C. V. (2005). Antileishmanial activity of parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Tanacetum parthenium. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 49(1), 176-182.

ANTI-CANCER 

• Partenolide from feverfew caused apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells.  From:  Zhang, S., Ong, C. N., & Shen, H. M. (2004). Critical roles of intracellular thiols and calcium in parthenolide-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. Cancer letters, 208(2), 143-153.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 1/12/19